Rubella
This disease affects mainly children aged 5 to 15 years (usually rubella ill before 7 years). The peak incidence falls on the spring. A future mother may become infected, for example, from an older child or his friends. The disease is easily transmitted by airborne droplets or by direct contact with saliva or secretions from the nose of the patient.
Symptoms: They are visible only 2-3 weeks after infection. There is general malaise, headache, muscle and joint pain, and conjunctivitis. Later, after 2-5 days, there is a rash (behind the ears, then on the trunk and limbs). All this is accompanied by puffiness of the lymph nodes on the neck and in the nape of the neck.
If you have been in contact with a patient with rubella - see a doctor as soon as possible. Unfortunately, there are no effective drugs against the rubella virus, but there is such a thing as "passive prevention". In the absence of specific antibodies of immunoglobulin, unfortunately, there is no complete protection against infection in the fetus. You should also conduct tests to confirm the presence of the virus in the blood (preferably between the third and fourth weeks from the date of the onset of the first symptoms).
Than it is dangerous for the child: Unfortunately, it is very dangerous. Intrauterine infection can occur at any stage of pregnancy, but the risk is greatest until 17 weeks (after this period, it significantly decreases).
Rubella is dangerous, as the virus overcomes the placenta and enters directly into the child's organs, causing them harm. Do not worry about your child if you were sick with rubella in childhood or were vaccinated (this is the only way to prevent this disease.) In the world, such vaccinations are recommended at 15 months (vaccine against measles, mumps and rubella), then to girls 13-14 and women who do not have immune antibodies. If you want to be a mother and you have not been vaccinated and do not have antibodies in your blood - vaccinate at least three months before the planned pregnancy.
Herpes
This is not only a troublesome cosmetic defect visible to the naked eye. This severe disease produces two types of herpes simplex virus and herpes genitalia. The first is responsible for infections of the skin and mucous membranes of the upper body, and the second - for the defeat (targeting) of the genitals. When viruses enter the body, they remain in it constantly. They live in a latent state in the nervous system. To activate them, you need a deterioration of immunity, fever, excessive exposure to the sun or severe stress.
Symptoms: Usually, these are bubbles that dries quickly and form crusts on the lips. But herpes can also develop in the nasal mucosa, conjunctiva and the cornea (causing inflammation), as well as on the genitals. If you have been infected with herpes during pregnancy, do not forget to consult your doctor. Perhaps he will send you to the hospital for treatment. Visit a specialist's office if infection manifests itself again during pregnancy. The doctor will prescribe Acyclovir - an effective antiviral drug, permitted for use by pregnant women.
Than it is dangerous for the child: The herpes virus is very dangerous for the fetus. Infection in the future can even cause a miscarriage or premature birth. The greatest risk exists when a woman has genital herpes shortly before birth. In this situation, doctors usually offer a cesarean section. Do not plan a pregnancy during an exacerbation of any infection, because recurrent herpes usually occurs when the body's resistance drops. Pregnancy temporarily weakens immunity - during illness it can become fatal for the child. After childbirth, care should be taken for hygiene, do not touch scabs and wash hands often. If you have herpes on your lips - do not kiss the baby! Also you can not breast-feed during the acute course of the disease. Consult with your doctor - he will tell you when you can start feeding.
Chickenpox
The virus of chicken pox (chicken pox) belongs to the same group as the herpes virus and cytomegalovirus. As a rule, smallpox is ill in early childhood. For children, the virus is usually harmless, but an infection in an unborn child can cause serious malformations.
Symptoms: Chickenpox begins with general fatigue and fever, then the torso, face, limbs, mucous membranes of the mouth and throat are covered with an itchy rash. At the same time on the skin you can see all stages of the manifestation of the virus: first papules, then vesicles, pustules and crusts.
Than it is dangerous for the child: Chickenpox is very dangerous in the first half of pregnancy - your child may have even birth defects. In the second half of pregnancy, the risk decreases, but then the most dangerous stage again appears shortly before the birth and soon after. During this period, the manifestation of the smallpox virus can be not only fatal to the child, but in some cases for the mother herself.
If you have had contact with a patient with chickenpox, consult a doctor. People who have had chickenpox usually are not at risk. If you have doubts, just examine the blood for antibodies. If in your case it turned out that you do not have immunity, you will pass the course of the shingled immunoglobulin to reduce the risk of the virus coming out through the placenta. It is better to take it on the fourth day after contact with the patient. If you are pregnant and it comes to infection, the doctor will monitor the child's development through ultrasound. If you are planning to become pregnant, you must be vaccinated. Do this at least three months before conception.
Cytomegaly
The virus is transmitted through saliva, blood, sexual contact. Infection can have serious consequences if the virus infects an unborn child.
Symptoms: The disease can be asymptomatic or cause a long period of rest. Usually manifested in the form of temperature "jumps", fever, headache, sore throat, cough and swollen lymph nodes around the neck. Cytomegaly is a dangerous virus, but fortunately infections during pregnancy are rare. Despite this, consult a doctor if you know that you have had contact with a patient. You can examine the blood and see if you have antibodies. But remember that their presence does not protect the child from infection - therefore, it is better to conduct such studies regularly. Wash your hands often during pregnancy. Avoid contact with urine and saliva of young children.
To treat viruses and infections during pregnancy, doctors try to use more sparing means. Sometimes this is ineffective and you have to take risks, prescribing stronger drugs. But you should know that the lack of treatment, in any case, is worse than taking potent remedies. Viruses and infections during pregnancy are dangerous and must be treated by all available means.